The Philippines joined the Blue Carbon Action Partnership, or BCAP, of the World Economic Forum, or WEF, to take another step to solidify the government's pursuit of a green and blue socio-economic agenda. 

The partnership agreement, signed last 3 December at the sidelines of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP28, aims to strengthen coastal ecosystems, boost blue carbon conservation and mitigate climate change. 

This effort is supported by the United Kingdom government through the UK Blue Planet Fund, specifically the Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, head of the Philippine delegation to COP28, signed the partnership agreement with Neo Gim Huay, managing director of the WEF Center for Nature and Climate. 

This effectively creates the National Blue Carbon Action Partnership and will bring support from WEF for the government to work with businesses, communities and civil society organizations to restore, conserve and sustainably manage coastal ecosystems.

Home to blue ecosystems

Said Loyzaga,  "The Philippines, endowed with rich biodiversity and extensive coastlines, is home to vast blue carbon ecosystems. We look forward to working with the Blue Carbon Action Partnership to facilitate the inclusive, whole-of-society approach to developing a shared ambition for blue carbon, community resilience, inclusive development and unlocking the Philippines' potential to provide nature-based climate solutions for the rest of the world whilst supporting our programs for protected areas and preparing the country for participating in the new blue economy."

The NBCAP will contribute to three strategic pillars: (1) convene communities and moderate multilateral conversations relevant to structuring particularly multilateral government structure, and groups working on impact, (2) generate new insights and roadmaps to support the creation of National blue carbon baseline analysis, national blue carbon roadmap, and national blue carbon finance roadmap; and (3) catalyze strategic action to support the implementation of the blue carbon and finance roadmaps, and global collaborations with complementary initiatives.